Caterpillars can camouflage themselves in their environment. At first glance, it is hardly possible to understand the subsequent development into a beautiful butterfly. With a few tips, however, green and light green caterpillars can be identified.

In a nutshell

  • green caterpillars occur all year round
  • Mixed cultures prevent plant infestation
  • Length up to 30mm
  • Head, hair, legs help with identification

Light green/green colored caterpillars

A caterpillar is the larva of the butterfly. Numerous caterpillars of different colors live in our regions. Again and again you see a small light green or green caterpillar in nature. With the following information you can identify the green caterpillars more easily in the future.

Caterpillars from A-F

Evening Peacock (Smerinthus ocellata)

Source: Simon A. Eugster, Smerinthus ocellatus caterpillar on apple tree, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
  • from North Africa and Europe
  • common species, living in moist forests
  • active from July to September
  • feed on pasture
  • up to 80 mm long, yellow-green colour, lighter back, yellow side stripes
  • Risk of confusion with poplar hawk moth, but: light blue anal horn, poplar hawk moth yellow

Aurora Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)

  • distributed in Europe and Middle East, solitary
  • Up to 30 mm long, hairy, blue-green back, dark green belly
  • Pre-lays eggs on forage plants, uses camouflage
  • Diet: Flowers and fruits
  • Pupation near the ground

Beech stretch foot (Calliteara pudibunda)

  • found throughout Europe, widespread, in deciduous forests
  • Active July to October
  • Diet: deciduous trees
  • red and green variants, up to 50 mm long, very hairy
  • females larger than males

Winter moth (Operophtera brumata)

  • males and females differently
  • rapid spread, cause severe damage
  • from April to June
  • light green, white side stripe, back: dark lines
  • use wind to move

Caterpillars by G-R

Lesser kingfisher (Limenitis camilla)

  • in Europe and Asia
  • light green, light lines on sides, up to 25 mm long
  • brown thorns on surface
  • prefer shady, damp places
  • from August, hibernation until June
  • Diet: Red honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum)

Lesser Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)

  • up to 25mm long
  • light green, sides: yellow dots, back: yellow stripe
  • white pigmentation in places, hair: dense, short
  • known agricultural pest

Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)

  • up to 40 mm long, green-yellow coloration, mottled, speckled, hairs short
  • Toxic to natural enemies, harmless to humans
  • young caterpillars live in groups
  • Pupation after about 4 weeks
  • Diet: Cabbage
  • Active June to October

Small Meadow Bird (Coenonympha pamphilus)

  • up to 20 mm long, light green, lateral white line, hind end: pink tip
  • widespread throughout Europe, north to the Arctic Circle
  • different rates of development
  • Hibernation, pupation near the plant
  • Diet: grasses

Caterpillars from S-Z

Checkerboard (Melanargia galathea)

  • widespread species, almost all over Europe
  • up to 28 mm, head: light brown, back: dark line, upper side: reddish spots, short hair
  • other name: checkerboard
  • from July/August to May/June, nocturnal
  • Diet: grasses

Purple Fries (Apaturinae)

  • worldwide except Australia and New Zealand
  • Length up to 8 mm, snail-like, brown horns, thick hair
  • Wings iridescent: brown, silvery, lilac, white-spotted
  • brown coloring in winter
  • Diet: Elm and birch family
  • Overwinters as a caterpillar

Black-collared Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)

  • up to 21 mm long, strong light green colour, light dorsal stripes
  • Head: green, 2 yellow stripes, brown spot
  • from winter to June
  • Diet: grasses
  • Development in the egg, hatching after overwintering

Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

  • up to 45 mm long, black, later turning green, black horizontal stripes, yellow dots
  • rare specimens: white
  • no hair
  • Diet: Umbelliferous and similar plants
  • Neck fork to deter

Swallowtail Butterfly (Iphiclides podalirius)

  • up to 40 mm long, black, after skinning: green, yellow side stripes
  • Pupation on plants, squat form
  • live in early summer

Mustard White (Leptidea sinapis)

  • bright green, up to 20 mm in size, narrow and yellow lateral line
  • Back: dark band, no hairs
  • different species in the caterpillar stage no differences

Brimstone butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni)

Source: Harald Süpfle, Gonepteryx rhamni - caterpillar 06 (HS), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE
  • Europe, North Africa and Central Asia
  • up to 33 mm long, dull green, faint coloring on sides, lighter stripe directly above legs
  • good camouflage
  • live May to June
  • Diet: Buckthorn family, eats leaves from the edge

frequently asked Questions

Which characteristics are important for the determination?

To determine a light green or green caterpillar, you should look at certain characteristics. In addition to the clear color, the head, hair, legs, markings and other special features are important characteristics of a caterpillar species.

When do the green caterpillars live?

When you see green caterpillars depends on the weather conditions. In mild temperatures, the caterpillars can survive longer. Sometimes it is even possible to observe green caterpillars all year round. However, most of them live in the summer months.

How can I fight caterpillars gently and naturally?

Many garden and house owners fear an infestation of their own garden. A simple solution are protective nets to prevent infestation. The moths cannot lay their eggs. With a light infestation, simply collect the caterpillars. Mixed cultures and water can also support natural control.

Category:

Animals in the garden